Time Out for Women helps light testimonies during Florida stop of 'Inevitable Light' tour

As I attended the Time Out for Women event in Orlando, Fla., themes of light, service, hope and strength stood out.

Retired LDS Institute of Religion instructor and author S. Michael Wilcox shared the experience of when the Savior appeared to Mary at the tomb. Christ called her name and she turned from the empty tomb — from the darkness, despair and sadness to he who represents all that is bright, hopeful and good. The Savior is the brightest light and the brightest hope we can have, he said.

I also came away with the message of the power and strength inherent in myself and all women. Wilcox reminded me that we are each beings of light with gifts and talents to share with others. Hilton taught us to “loose thyself from the bands of captivity” (see Isaiah 52:2). He shared that women have the power to change certain things. By using agency, we can turn complaints we have into what we really want to happen, all by things within our power or control, he said.

Jill Manning, a licensed marriage and family therapist, reminded us that as women we matter. The sphere of our influence is greater than we may think. Since women are the ones who use media the most, we should use that power to influence the content of all media and how it is consumed, she said.

As a child, I was afraid of the dark. Not knowing what might be lurking in the shadows made it difficult for me to sleep. My parents placed a night light in my room that chased those fears away.

As an adult, those fears are not of monsters in the dark, but of trials that seem too great to bear, of a world gone astray, and feelings of inadequacy. Now that darkness can be chased by the “inevitable light” by my own candles of faith and testimony. As Isaiah reminds us, “Fear not thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee. Fear not, for I am with thee” (see Isaiah 43:1-2, 5).

There is no need to fear knowing there is an army of righteous women who are holding their lights high.

For information about Time Out for Women, including a list of cities, registration information and presenters, see tofw.com.

Robyn Carr is a graduate of Brigham Young University, a mother of five and grandmother to one. She lives in North Carolina. Her email is mrsincredible41@yahoo.com.